Posts Tagged ‘Somerville Open Studios’

Somerville Open Studios is run by artist volunteers and its Volunteer Show held each year features the work of these artists. This year’s show features 77 works of art by 49 volunteers present and past. This year the show is hosted by Diesel Cafe in Davis Square. The opening reception is tonight and the artwork will be on display until May 12th. The cafe is open 6am – 10pm, Monday – Friday, and 7am – 10pm, Saturday – Sunday. When you have the opportunity to stop in for a bite to eat or cup of coffee, please take time to peruse the art upon the walls. It is a delight and indeed inspiring to see the range of work being created across Somerville. As for my contribution this year … 🙂

First up, Somerville Open Studios 2016, April 30 – May 1, 12:00-6:00 PM. A sneak preview takes place April 29, 6:00-9:00 PM. Over 360 participating artists in over 90 sites made open to the public including private studios and public venues. Travel by foot, by trolley and this year there’s even a Bike Tour. Group shows are already on view at the Inside Out Gallery (CVS Window) and Diesel Cafe in Davis Square, and more will open closer to the big weekend. Be on the lookout for the detailed Somerville Open Studios mapbooks. Learn more here: https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/

Yes, indeed, it is that time of year once more. Somerville Open Studios 2015 is taking place May 2 + May 3, with sneak previews on May 1. I am honored to have this piece appearing in the SOS Volunteer Show held at the Bloc 11 restaurant in Union Square April 8 – May 20. If you click on the image, you’ll see that it is a photograph of the oak tree that towers over my house. Really. The view is through the kitchen window after the window’s covering of ice had melted. I’ve yet to name the image though one friend suggested “attempted evolution,” as if something were trying to become a tree. I’ve got until April 1 to settle upon a name. I’m open to more suggestions. Meanwhile, more information about Open Studios events and activities later in the spring. 😉

In New England, spring means flowers but it also means arts festivals galore. The one that I’ve become most connected with is Somerville Open Studios. This year’s official SOS weekend is May 3 + May 4 with studios open across the city and easily accessible by foot and trolley cars. Several April exhibits are also already up and running.

Maps of different exhibit locations for the main May weekend are available in every Somerville neighborhood. The mapstands, made by artist Hilary Scott, are quite distinctive and kept regularly stocked by volunteers.

The show is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. You can read more about its unique history here. And you can learn more about participating artists via this link. Each year it is inspiring for me to see how involved the artists are, at every level, in making the show a success for everyone.

Water is the common theme, with all its simplicity of form and complex properties. Unseen trees reflected in the still waters of recent rains along the Charles River Esplanade.

Light bouncing around the ice enhancing the vibrant colors of rocks held tight on a Woburn road.

The two pictures were taken years apart but will both be on exhibit this April at different events. If you’re in the neighborhood, I hope you’ll stop by to see the work of all the artists on show.

Reflectionswill be on display at the Artists’ Group of Charlestown 9th Annual Spring Show. Opening Reception is this Friday, April 12th, from 6:00-9:00 pm. Read more here: http://www.artistsgroupofcharlestown.com/

Icecapade will be on display at the Somerville Open Studios Volunteer Show, part of the 15th Annual Somerville Open Studios. The Volunteer Show will be held at the Bloc 11 restaurant in the heart of Union Square. Opening Reception is this Wednesday, April 10th, from 6:30-8:00 pm. Read more here: http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/visit/

… beauty before me, beauty behind me, beauty to the right of me, beauty to the left of me, beauty above me, beauty below me …

Well, this week, I sure do feel surrounded by beauty. If you follow this blog even a little, you know I feel that way most of the time, but this week I’m experiencing beauty with a capital B especially with Somerville Open Studios 2012 taking place. If you are in the area, I hope you will take the opportunity to visit the amazing artists creating great beauty throughout the city. Here’s a link to all of the general event information.

I must admit when I took these picture of trees aflame in the fall, and of snow mounds after a winter storm, I did not envision their images forming the vibrant patterns of a geisha’s flowing silk robes. But luckily I know Zoe Langosy, a figurative artist with a unique view of the world.

Zoe grew up in Somerville in an area made notorious in the 1980’s by Whitey Bulger and the Winter Hill Gang. It was in fact that gang’s activities and the negative impacts on Zoe and her sister that convinced her parents to move the family to Lexington. There, in school as well as in her family’s bohemian household, Zoe’s artistic talents were fostered. Eventually she traveled the world, living in London and Los Angeles before returning to the Boston area.

Her beautiful melancholic images have been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles and London. She and I became friends while working together in a local shop. Somerville Open Studios has presented a great opportunity for collaboration that has already sparked conversation about future projects. Time will tell. Right now the focus is Open Studios where Zoe’s contemporary geisha — three of them — will be clothed, and in some cases tattooed, with bits of sunlit leaves, shimmering snow, and rain-kissed flower petals.